While the Met Gala made headlines on Monday, another kind of celebration was creating its own spotlight, rooted in culture, community, and tequila. On Monday, May 5th, The Knockturnal celebrated Cinco de Mayo in style with Hornitos Tequila at their first-ever Hornitos Mex Gala and it was a night to remember.
The Parenting may sound like your typical meet-the-parents weekend getaway, but this comedy-horror twist is anything but ordinary.
Last night, Olvera Street in Los Angeles was transformed into a vibrant celebration of Música Mexicana.
Thursday, September 5th, 2024. Pier 83. Manhattan, New York — Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises, popularly known as “Circle Line”, NYC’s most iconic boat tour who’s been cruising the watery skirts of New York since 1945, offering sightseeing adventures to over 8 Million passengers, set sail on the ultimate 2024 summer send-off with the Usher-inspired dance cruise. The night of Usher’s greatest hits took place on Thursday, September 5, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. All Summer dance cruises departed at 7:30 PM on their designated dates, with tickets starting at $30.
Tuesday, July 16th, 2024. Lower East Side, Manhattan. — Apple TV+ and world-renowned chef René Redzepi hosted a magnificent screening for the highly anticipated docuseries, “OMNIVORE” ahead of its a global debut launch on Apple TV+, Friday July 19th.
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024. Silencio NYC. Manhattan, New York.—In urban aristocratic fashion, Tres Generaciones® Tequila, The Dean Collection, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ shut down New York City at Silencio NYC on Wednesday February 7th. Silencio NYC is the latest addition to the expansion of the coveted Private Members Club, with its origins in Paris. The exclusive celebration, “Just Because-Aquarius Edition”, honored the opening ceremony for the iconic power couple on their new exhibition GIANTS which will open its display on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at the historic Brooklyn Museum.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x Derrick Adams x Mickalene Thomas’ “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The affluent guests in attendance spanned from the world of art, literature, music and high-end to urban fashion to honor the high profile couple, Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys for the opening of their new exhibition, GIANTS, at Brooklyn Museum. Guests in attendance included Swizz Beatz and Silencio owner Arnaud Frisch; Comedian-Actor Evan Ross was in attendance, along with American singer-songwriter and actress Ashlee Simpson, Supermodel Joan Smalls; and artists, American visual and performance artist and curator Derrick Adams and Contemporary African-American visual artist and painter, Mickalene Thomas.
Also in attendance was Nigerian-American singer-songwriter recording artist Davido, America Rapper DSmoke, DJ and Producer Note Mercato, world-renowned and award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts and humanities Lil Buck, 3X CFDA Menswear of the Year winner Maxwell Osborne, Human Rights Activists Mysonne General and Tamika Mallory and renowned publicist Nadine Johnson and more.
Davido attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Derrick Adams at the “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
It’s important to place emphasis on the accolades and prestige of all the creatives in attendance. It speaks to the pedigree of collaborators, circles of influence and community that fuels The Dean’s passion for art and self expression. The event honored Black artists from the GIANTS Exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum. The exhibition as a collection will include works from artists Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, Nina Chanel Abney and many more.
Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross and Richie Akiva attend The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila x “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Ever searching for inspiration, The Deans, are notable for their philanthropic appreciation of the arts in all forms and champion the philosophy of “artists supporting artists.” To back their beliefs, a large scale of the couple’s personal artistic pieces, which they have coined as ‘The Dean Collection, GIANTS’ will showcase a focused selection from the world-class holdings. The Brooklyn Museum’s presentation spotlights works by BIPOC (black and indiginious people of color) diasporic artists, which is part of Brooklyn Museums ongoing efforts to expand the art-historical narrative that shape our society. The “Just Because-Aquarius Edition” party also celebrated the birthdays of the acclaimed artists – Mickalene Thomas and Derrick Adams – whose work will be on display beginning February 10th, 2024; and with special mention to their contemporary Aquarian, Alicia Keys, who celebrated her birthday on January 25th.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 07: Swizz Beatz attends The Dean Collection x Swizz Beatz x Tres Generaciones Tequila “Just Because – Aquarius Edition” a celebration for the artists of The Dean Collection on February 07, 2024 at Silencio in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
The opening live music set included spins by DJ Sweets. Uptempo blends and sounds were also provided by Swizz Beats himself; Swizz Beats’ official DJ, DJ Runna, Soulection DJ and Co-Founder Joe Kay, Blonde filled the corners of the velvet walls. For the Wine & spirits enthusiast, specialty Silencio NYC cocktails were curated from Tres Generaciones® Tequila collection, which included signatures sips of, ‘The Aquarius Zaza’, a smooth mix of Tres Generaciones® Plata Tequila, Pineapple Syrup, Lime, Grapefruit Soda; ‘The GIANT’, comprised of Tres Generaciones® Reposado Tequila, Triple Sec, Hibiscus Syrup, and Lime; the ‘Big Tuna’, a blend of Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila with a lemon twist; and finally the ‘Chilly Chill Zone’, my personal favorite of the cocktails that included the Tres Generaciones® Anejo Tequila, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Champagne.
The evening closed with the guests richly satisfied by the open bar and the decadent indulgence of the rich and smokey Tres Generaciones® Tequila and the highlight of a remarkable lifetime experience at the private club Silencio NYC celebrating greatness and prestige with prolific and impactful art and culture leaders, The Deans.
January 31, 2024. Manhattan, New York. —I came to the knowledge of PRICE on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at The CABIN NYC, Manhattan New York where he hosted his exclusive listening session. The Cabin, a quaint venue, opened their doors and greeted myself and several media personalities to a low lit and intimate setting. The Cabin, a cozy eatery with wood paneled walls, infinity mirrors reflecting birch trees, and leather banquettes lining the perimeter of the restaurant greeted us with two warm host, h’oeuvres and beverages as we waited in anticipation for the man of the hour. An ambiance of familiarity set the tone for the private listening session for ‘C.I.T.Y. (Caught In The Youth)’, a new album that released on Friday, January 26th, by multi-hyphenate producer, songwriter, rapper and Rapreneur, PRICE.
‘C.I.T.Y.’ comes as a follow up project from PRICE’s introductory projects, ‘CLRD’ & ‘FOES’, both garnering over a million streams with high probability that ‘C.I.T.Y.’ will surpass both installments in his discography. PRICE offered a live performance that was personable and impressive and encouraged us to listen to the project in its entirety upon release; and what we didn’t realize we’d be experiencing is PRICE’s vulnerability and true expression through his healing and processing from the loss of his cousin while aligning himself to be a community and familial healer.
For those new to PRICE as a talent, the prolific songwriter hails from Inland Empire, CA and has paid his dues in the industry, notably recognized as a gifted Lyricist, Songwriter, Producer and Programmer whose penned hit songs for artists such as Travis Scott, Brandy Norwood and more. PRICE has co-written songs with legendary talents that include but are not limited to, Jill Scott, Mariah Carey, Wyclef Jean, Kanye West, Hit Boy, TI, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla $ign, H.E.R., Lucky Daye, Wale, Rick Ross and many more. Encompassing ranges of sounds and influences that he’s acquired through collaborating and producing for other artists, PRICE also infuses technical prowess and versatility of style in his delivery and vocal arrangements.
‘C.I.T.Y. (Caught In The Youth)’, serves as an ode to PRICE’s late cousin, affectionately known to his peers and colleagues as, ‘BIG CITY’. The album hits his listeners with 12 tracks (37 minutes, 23 seconds) of what sounds like the Holistic side of Hip Hop. With sacred chants and ancestral offerings in sound, the word “Asé” echoes behind the narratives presented in spoken word and compliment the transition of each song. The album also serves as a reminder to leave the past behind, let tomorrow take care of tomorrow, and enjoy the present. With strong themes of community, family, love⸺fraternal, romantic, platonic and regional, C.I.T.Y. is raw and unfiltered peering into the mind, life, trials, and triumphs of PRICE. PRICE self produced a large portion of the album except for a few clever assists from PRICE’s longtime friend and GRAMMY award-winning producer, Hit Boy on ‘PROUD’, as well as four tracks from two-time GRAMMY nominated R&B record producer, Darhyl Camper. The project also includes features from T-Pain, Alex Vaughn, and Tish Hyman.
On the opening track, ‘CAUGHT IN THE YOUTH’, PRICE offers an array of transitions in delivery and sound, both with an empowered focus to become a “generational cure” aiming to heal the legacy of brokenness, pain, incarceration and drama that tends to follow black men and the members of the black community. “I refuse to get caught in the youth,” he repeats on the hook of the song, sweeping his listeners in with its catchy appeal; knowing that becoming a statistic of crime, violence or death would not be the legacy he plans to leave behind and that can be avoided with better choices.
“They thought I’d be dead by 25…Jokes on you, I’ve got Angels by my side/ Brown skin with a heart full of pride, Mansa Musa, I feel like the richest man alive…” on MANSA MUSA (featuring T-PAIN), PRICE offers an empowered swagger on the bouncy-track with head nodding rhythms. Malaya, the daughter of the late beloved, follows up as the song fades out, declaring her faith in her new ancestor, and that her father is ever present with her in this waking life. Throughout the progression of the album, PRICE takes us through his internal landscape by way of song, each track like a piece of patchwork of expression that allows us to witness how the loss of his cousin impacted his outlook on life, to his newfound spirit of gratitude and fortitude and how it simultaneously holds him together.“I Rejoice, I rejoice; some might say I’m cool, some say I’m crazy, I’m just trying to flow like God made me…crown myself, finally found my voice…” , on ‘REJOICE’, the liberated PRICE expresses that he intends to have a life full of wonderful things because he intends to focus on the positives in life, all while accepting himself and life for what it is and all it brings.
On ‘SAGGIN AND BRAGGIN’, the artist comes in embracing purpose as well as setting his boundaries as he actively seeks to draw peace into his life and claim all the blessings that he’s worked to earn for him and his loved ones. “Need a machete and a little headspace (For what?) /Just so I can cut off all the dead weight (cut em off). / I’m Rialto where they’re Toe Taggin’ (yeah)/Pants ain’t low when I tell you that I’m saggin’/ Walked in like hotshot/Ain’t no time for being humble…”; it’s evident that PRICE is on a mission to hold his head up high and walk confidently in this world, realizing and fulfilling his dreams every step of the way, while carrying his family legacy on his back. On ‘CUZO’, a playful and lighthearted ode, PRICE pays homage to his existing cousins that relate to him like brothers and sisters, shouting out all the amazing things each one has influenced and brought to his life.
The song that tugs viciously at the audience’s heart strings is ‘PROTECTED 2’. This song illustrates the vulnerability and fears of a black man as he struggles to navigate this world in which he lives. PRICE makes a heartfelt plea in his song as he repeats, “..so yes its true, we need black men to be protected too…just let my message through…born in a system built to pressure you…so yes its true, we need black men to be protected too…//
Black men step out side but coming home never’s been promised…the ones that said we all equal have never been honest….they took our male ancestors/put their hands behind their backs and made them watch them rape our women, real mental attacks…” this beautiful musical installment shines a light on the concerns, historical and present day, that anyone who’s ever loved, cared for, or adored a man of color, feels; from the desire to protect them from external harm and fear to the yearning to bring them peace of mind in all things. In ‘PROTECTED 2′, PRICE becomes a voice for men who want to cry out and say, “we matter and we need to be shielded too”, it serves as a reflective piece, a call to action and a somber question , “How will you, the listener, protect black men?” in day to day life.
As the project nears its ending, BIG CITY’s son, Marlon, reflects on the loss of his father through his grief stating that he wishes God took other things from him instead, like “his bike, his Xbox, Supreme hoodie, or even his basketball court …but not his dad”. Songs like ‘REPO MAN’, shows PRICE lamenting, displaying his sadness and disappointments from his loss of family and friends. Though heavy ladened with harps and lyrical punchlines, he is skilled enough to neutralize the weightiness of this theme with catchy hooks on genre-bending instrumentation and arrangements in other follow up tracks like PROUD and BLESS. PRICE displays his skills by creating a formidable and cohesive sound, unique to his brand, and universal in its appeal. The influences of sound found in this compilation range from gospel; to blends of Progressive Soul/R&B found on the endearing chart-topping single, ‘CREAM OF WHEAT’ featuring the soulful songstress, Alex Vaughn. “I don’t think you know just what you mean to me…I don’t think you know just what you mean to me…skin shea butter smooth you feel like cream to me…sweet as apple oatmeal, sweet as cream of wheat…” The love ballad, CREAM OF WHEAT, offers a tender landing place for PRICE and his listeners who know love is what we need to heal and navigate in a world that takes much from us on a daily basis. ‘HARDT ST’ is another sensual song that appeals to PRICE’s love for his object of affection, reflective and tender; PRICE declares his love and devotion to his beau, in promises that he has eyes for only her. What’s refreshing about these songs placements is that they are void of bashing his female counterpart, exhibiting his progressive stance and active approach to celebrating women in his life, community, and normalizing loving his woman, openly.
What’s ever present in this project as a whole is that it’s anchored and does not stray away from his authentic voice as an artist; and PRICE is skillful in his ability to keep his audience engaged in the continuity of his songs by way of talent, range and versatility. PRICE does not allow his eclectic flare to interfere with the continuity of sound or messaging in his album. What I appreciate about PRICE’s expression on this project is that he’s woke, but not so far open that he isn’t relatable. I appreciate that he does not deny his humanity, his journey, his heartbreaks, losses, the career rejections, and his ambitions that powered him through to where he is today in his success. What listeners will equally appreciate is that PRICE never veers off the course from reality, and he is still aware that he needs to move through this life with the self discipline, focus, leveling up and a healed community in mind. While it’s evident that PRICE’s passion is music, its also obvious that he is fueled by his childhood experiences, familial trauma, spirituality, and the desire to positively impact his hometown. He is clear in his intent, motivation and driven by his desire to be a generational cure for many. Its just as PRICE offers on his song, ‘WRITEOUS’, “…no longer care to debate who Christ is/ I’m more concerned with bringing people to where the light is/ and making sure no more of my bros get indicted…”
PRICE aims to live better, be better and bring people to the light of truth and personal freedom. It’s safe to say he’s begun to shine his light through his new album, ‘C.I.T.Y’. I highly recommend this palpable and transparent body of work, as a new layer unfolds with each listen, and respectively, with every spin of every song, it gives me comfort knowing that for Malaya, Marlon and PRICE’s sake, that BIG CITY can live and breathe through PRICE’s musical expression.
Jackie Weld Drake, Beth Rudin DeWoody
Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Park Avenue, New York, NY. — Jacqueline Weld Drake, the gracious hostess and Chairman of Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, opened the doors to her home to host a phenomenal Annual Holiday Party for Casita Maria Center that included a live performance of Christmas caroling by the Casita Maria Choir.
Casita Maria Choir
The Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education, is the oldest Latin charity, thriving in New York City. Housed in an underserved and impoverished area in the South Bronx, the organization provides quality arts education programs to more than 1,000 students each day. This impressive level of efficiency is what Casita Maria prides itself as they believe in fostering a safe space that serves as a warm and welcoming community of holistic engagement, uplifting the youth and their families in their offerings through teaching and volunteering.
Felix Urrutia, Tracey Fortson
The mission that Casita Maria focuses on is one of collaboration, coupled with empathy for the unique circumstances and hardships faced by each student-artist that attends their Center. Commitment as a team of professionals is a pact they make day to day, moment by moment as they seek to serve the intellectual, creative, physical, and emotional growth of the young student artists they serve without prejudice; their standard of excellence has championed them in the non-profit sector, 90 years in the making; a hard act to follow for any non-profit organization, but one that is not impossible for Casita Maria as they are being stewarded in by Executive Director, Felix Urrutia Jr through its next stages of development leading to their Centennial Anniversary in 2034. Last but not least, their ever-thriving desire to be innovative as they achieve their mission in partnership with loyal donors, the families that make up the community of the South Bronx, their dedicated administrative, educational team and staff, elected officials, community sponsors, partners, and the ever-growing support they garner as the awareness of their organization’s mission reaches the ears of caring adults who want to see the student artist thrive.
Luisa Lopez Celada, Alberto Mariaca
The night opened with guests that included notable figures in the arts, media, and entertainment fields, such as famed and brilliant Art Director, Luisa Lopez Celada, who developed corporate and brand concepts, advertising campaigns, promotional materials, and publication designs for a myriad of companies; Editor-In-Chief and Founder, Jonn Nubian, of YRB Magazine, a lifestyle publication that focuses on fashion, music, art, and related cultural subjects; the intelligible and articulate CC Minton of The House Of Minton; Seven-time FiFi Award winner and internationally renowned packaging designer Marc Rosen and many more! The guests mingled and enjoyed tasty hors d’oeuvres, choice wines, beverages, and champagnes. Various media outlets and the honorary Casita Maria Community board members and supporters of the organization who have either participated in the offerings of Casita Maria, all held light conversation while indulging in fresh roasted turkey, peppercorn steak, and rye bread entrees.
Marc Rosen,Cici Menton
Casita Maria Choir
I had the opportunity to speak with Gail Heidel, the Artistic Director at Casita Maria overseeing all performing and visual arts and arts education programs. For almost a decade, Gail has poured her heart and soul into seeking new opportunities for the students of the Casita Maria Center. With over twenty years of experience as an arts administrator, curator, educator, and visual artist, Gail gushes over the reality that she has found her “dream career”, serving others and one that allows her to remain in the space of creativity, to teach and to give back to the community. We spoke on the “South Bronx Culture Festival” an annual tradition for the organization that began in 2011, held in the first week of June, and celebrates the vibrant culture and communities of the South Bronx through an annual performance series anchored by a new theme each year. This year the free outdoor performances were held at Father Gigante Plaza and garnered in support from BronxNet Television, media partners of the Casita Maria.
Casita Maria Choir
One of the most impressive things that I discovered while speaking to Gail about Casita Maria, is that there’s a holistic emphasis and approach the organization takes in introducing the student artists into each medium. Offering studies and concentrations in music, performing arts such as theater and dance; instrumentation like piano and violin, as well as visual arts. It is refreshing to know that the engagement isn’t in place to pacify inner city youth; the staff and the programs built around the student-artist are about full engagement, and involvement, with consideration of their psychological and emotional development in mind. The organization also works in collaboration with volunteers and Teaching Artists, a comprehensive training and internship program comprised of artists, designed to prepare them for their fields through practicing their artistic crafts in the classroom. This level of consideration and mindfulness on the part of Casita Maria’s team and leadership is one to be ever admired and esteemed. These efforts are the cornerstone of what holds the borough of the Bronx, and the city together. True to their statement, Casita Maria is where generations of local residents have found a home away from home—a place to gather, play, create, learn, and grow. It stands as a symbol of resilience, providing vital support in arts, education, and community and youth development.
These efforts are all aimed at producing well-rounded individuals who aspire to fulfill their dreams.
Casita Maria’s educational programs offer after-school and summer programming for up to 1,000 young people from kindergarten through high school. Programs are built on a Creative Youth Development framework that combines arts education with academic assistance and positive youth development principles to empower young people to reach their potential as artists, scholars, and leaders.
All programs are free and operate after school from 2:30 to 6 PM. Casita Maria, though known to have a higher attendance from Bronx residents, accepts participants on a first come-first served basis, regardless of need.
To learn more about this wonderful organization and to show your support for the Casita Maria mission, visit their website at: https://www.casitamaria.org/
Boston is officially on island time!
Coconut water brand Vita Coco and Captain Morgan have recently teamed up to bring the Caribbean to store shelves nationwide. As part of a multi-city “Tropical Takeover Tour” in celebration of Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan, Jamaican rapper Sean Paul gave an exclusive performance at The Grand in Boston on Sept. 14.
The Grand was transformed into a tropical paradise with everything from palm trees and hammocks to signature Captain Morgan mixed drinks. The good vibes got even better when Paul took the stage to perform his top hits, including Sia’s “No Lie,” Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye,” and of course, “Temperature.”
Noteworthy guests of the night included 106 and Park host, Free.
Paul expressed his excitement regarding his partnership with the brands earlier this year in an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal. “In Jamaica we have a culture of rum tasting and drinking and when we do beach parties we usually put coconut water in our rum so it’s a perfect match for me,” the rapper said in June. “I love how it tastes.“
And Paul is right—this collab is so good that it will make you want to shake that thing. Made with real coconut water and Caribbean Rum, Vita Coco Spiked with Captain Morgan canned cocktails are available in three flavors: Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri and Lime Mojito.
“It’s a way for me to spread a part of my culture as a Jamaican boy,” Paul continued, “and let people know how we do it.”
If you are 21+, visit captainmorgan.com to purchase your own vacation in a can.
August 4th, 2023. The Bar Beford, Moxy Hotel, Williamsburg, Brooklyn—-The Chaotic Singles Party takes on the Moxy Hotel with Tinder as a host. The Chaotic Singles Party is the brainchild event that went viral via TikTok, on Valentine’s Day of 2022 by Actress, Event Host, and Creator, Cassidy Davis. Cassidy rounded up her single friends and had them invite their long standing crushes from a dating app to an exclusive single’s only house party. She then shared this gathering online. The post went viral, pooling in well over a million views within days. The viral video picked up so much attention that it aired on Good Morning America, the Wall Street Journal, Insider, The New York Times, The Drew Barrymore Show, and KTLA 5 News in Los Angeles among others. Thus, the Chaotic Singles Party was born.
The Chaotic Singles Parties are held monthly all over the continental US in major cities, such as LA, New York, and Chicago (with a new surprise date and location, currently in the works). On average, between 200-300 singles attend these monthly gatherings in hopes to find their summer fling or forever thing. Impressed by the idea, and being one of the major dating apps in the world, Tinder swiped right on the idea of partnering with the “Chaotic Singles Party” creator to incorporate the popular singles-mingling event into their, “Singles Summer Series” initiative that encourages singles to meet by creating in-person experiences to connect.
A research study from Tinder discovered that “4 out of 10 young singles recently split from a partner”, or typically plan to weeks before the spring and summer months hit in order to be single and available to mingle. Eager to assist their happy swiping, Tinder launched their very own “Single Summer Series” to help the “newly un-cuffed” population get back out there into the physical dating world. This time partnering with the viral dating wave made by Cassidy’s “Chaotic Singles Party”; and where better to host the NYC event, than the coolest trendsetting hotel hotspot, the Moxy, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 
To attempt to simulate the full experience of the “Chaotic Singles Party”, I joined Tinder and created a user profile in hopes I’d meet up with a match. I even had my friends and family vote on the spiciest photo for my profile. I set up a Tinder account a few days prior to the event; as it was my hope that one of the 99+ potential “right-swipes” would match with me and I could find a least one to invite to the party. Unfortunately, I did not swipe fast enough to match or build a connection in my area before the event on August 4th. Luckily, there were other eligible singles there who attended and had no pre-existing match either, so my options were wide open.
Danielle Niecey/The Knockturnal. Pictured at Tinder’s “Chaotic Singles Summer” Photographer: C. London; Edits: J. Rivas
Located on Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, a destination cocktail bar, the Bar Bedford, awaited a room full of enthusiastic singles. The 21 + event welcomed me and my tiny entourage of +2 who did not know much of what to expect when approaching this beautifully low-lit cocktail bar. The Bar Bedford, the bar hosting the party, was designed by Bar Lab, the creative entity behind the Broken Shaker restaurant, housed in the Moxy Hotel. Upon entrance, we were greeted by the Tinder team who gleefully handed out name tags shaped in the form of the Tinder flame logos. The customized logos, which also included LGBTQAI+-friendly customized options, represented the guests’ “swipe-preference” type. Guests also had the option of entering a rally where they could win prizes for themselves and their matches. We quickly wrote our names down, attached our Tinder flames to our outfits, and got chaotic-wit-it.
Well, not too chaotic. The event felt more like, laid back chill-vibes, meets singles mixer all in one. It was everything that represented Williamsburg on a Friday night, “low-key, no pressure, and a moderately casual” ambiance. Present was a live DJ who kept up-tempo grooves in rotation for the evening with a blend of lo-fi, house, and EDM tunes. Guests sipped cocktails and flowed freely through the lounge, exchanging numbers, Instagram, and other social media handles; mingling with their favorite matches, new and old, and indulging in the opportunity to chat with more than one potential love interest.
Chaotic Interview with Cassidy Davis, creator of the “Chaotic Singles Party”
A few guests, myself included, were interviewed by Cassidy herself, and shared details about our “Chaotic” party experience , our upcoming date plans with our new connections, and how easy it was to meet attractive new singles in a more public setting versus one on one pressures of a first date. The idea of a plethora of available singles all under one roof, looking to meet other hopefuls alleviated a lot of the first-time meet-up jitters. It was such a breath of fresh air for many singles who feel more comfortable crawling out of their pandemic pads, apartments, and remote jobs to make human-to-human contact. 
For those looking to catch the next Chaotic Singles Party hosted by Tinder, here are a few “needs-to-knows”: Tinder members in New York must be 21 years of age or older to attend due to the sale, consumption and circulation of alcoholic beverages at the party. Tinder members do receive early access to the Chaotic Singles parties hosted by Tinder, allowing them first dibs to secure tickets before they are made available to the general public. Tinder ticket holders do receive preferred entrance to the events. Additional information for future upcoming Chaotic Singles Parties is provided on the Tinder app and Tinder website. Tickets allow entry for two guests – the member and a match they’re interested in exploring a connection with. Once the tickets go live, anyone 21+ is open to purchasing remaining tickets on platforms like Eventbrite (or wherever tickets are available for sale) to attend. Though it is encouraged, you do not need a date or connection to attend.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this Chaotic Singles Party hosted by Tinder and highly recommend those in search of a new hottie to take the plunge and swipe right.